§ 21. Rear-Admiral SUETERasked the Home Secretary whether he will instruct the Metropolitan cab licensing authorities to make their examinations and tests more frequent and more efficient during the coming year in order that the number of worn-out taximeter-cabs plying for hire in the Metropolitan area may be reduced?.
Mr. STANLEYMotor cabs are subjected to a rigorous annual inspection at Police Passing Stations. In addition, they are examined quarterly at the owners' premises and are liable to inspection at any time while on ranks. These examinations will be strictly maintained, and my right hon. Friend does not think that any changes in the existing system are called for.
§ Captain Sir WILLIAM BRASSIs there any age limit for the taxi-cabs which are licensed?
§ 22. Rear-Admiral SUETERasked the Home Secretary if he is aware that the Metropolitan cab-licensing authorities still permit taximeter-cabs to be equipped with meters on which the fares cannot be read easily by artificial light either because the apertures on the meter dial-face are too small or the figures in the apertures indistinct; and if he will have this remedied?
Mr. STANLEYI am informed by the Commissioner of Police that all new taxicabs are fitted with meters which have large figures and are efficiently lighted; that there are still a certain number of old meters the figures on which cannot be enlarged without complete reconstruction of the instrument at heavy expense, but that every effort is made by means of frequent inspections to see that an efficient standard of lighting is maintained.